National Weather

- Protect your home. Cover windows with shutters or some
shielding materials. Be sure to bring inside lawn furniture
and all loose objects.- Trim back dead or weak branches from trees. Make sure
leaks are repaired and clear any clogged drain gutters and
downspouts.- Make sure to have supplies on hand. This should include:
a first aid kit, flashlights and extra batteries, emergency food
and water, essential medicines, cash and credit cards, and
sturdy shoes. - Fuel up and service all vehicles.- Make sure that you have a battery powered television or radio.

Coastal Areas -

- Plan an evacuation route. Learn safe routes inland and the
location of several shelters. Be prepared to travel 20 to 100
miles inland.
- Make arrangements for pets. Pets are not allowed in official
shelters.

- Determine where to move you boat prior to the storm's arrival.
- Develop an emergency communication plan. Make sure a
family member or friend far inland knows your plan.- Gather all important papers such as: Insurance policies,
deed or mortgage paperwork, birth certificates, passports,
visas, voter registration cards, photos (that are irreplaceable),
social security cards, wills, and any computer disks of
important data.

Evacuating -

- Leave as soon as possible.
- Notify someone when you are leaving and where you are
going.
- Unplug appliances; turn off the electricity and the main
water valve.
- Bring preassembled emergency supplies.
- Lock up your home and leave.

- Stay tuned to WLTX News 19 for the latest on the hurricane.
- Stay inside a well-constructed building preferably in an
interior first floor room.
- If the winds subside quickly, be wary of venturing outside.
You may be in the eye of a hurricane. If this is the case,
the winds can return from the other direction in a very
short time.

Tropical Cyclone - A tropical cyclone is an area of low pressure that has a
thunderstorm activity and the air around the system
rotates counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.

There are three basic classifications of tropical cyclones:
- Tropical Depression; a tropical cyclone that has winds of 3
8 mph or less.
- Tropical Storm; winds are in the range of 39 to 73 mph.
- Hurricane; winds are 74 mph or greater.
- Major Hurricane; any hurricane with winds above 110 mph.

Tropical Storm Watch - Winds in the range of 39 to 73 mph are possible usually
within 36 hours.

Hurricane Watch - Winds of 74 mph or greater are possible usually within 36 hours.
This is time to start preparing for a hurricane's arrival.

Hurricane Warning - Hurricane force winds are expected usually within 24 hours. All
preparations for the storm should be rushed to completion and
evacuation as soon as possible if directed by local officials.

Storm Surge - An abnormal rise of sea level along the coast due primarily to
onshore winds. The surge is highest north of the center of the
storm as the hurricane makes landfall.